Diagnosis and differential diagnoses:The diagnostic process:There is no single diagnostic test for ADHD though the following process is usually followed.The process involves a detailed history and physical examination by the child's physician, developmental assessment, and hearing and vision tests. Other professionals such as psychologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists may also make the diagnosis.

When evaluating a child for ADHD, the primary care clinician should assess whether other conditions are present that might coexist with ADHD, including emotional or behavioral (such as anxiety, depressive, oppositional defiant, and conduct disorders), developmental (such as learning and language disorders or other neurodevelopmental disorders), and physical (such as tics, sleep apnea) conditions.​There are several checklists to evaluate ADHD symptoms available. The one we offer on our site: the Conners 3 for children is one of the most widely accepted and used tests. Many other problems, like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms. and should be considered, too in the differential diagnosis.Obtaining a history or having a questionnaire filled out by the child's teacher may also be part of the diagnostic process. The Conners 3 Teacher questionnaire is also available in online format from our website.